Arthur Vance: What nonsense are you talking about? You’re a temp maid who caused a disaster at my fundraiser!
Maya: Look at this button, sir. I picked it up right where the man was standing before the display fell.
Arthur Vance: A button? You think a broken piece of clothing proves someone tried to kill me?
Noah: Dad, I saw him! A big man in a dark coat pushed the table with his foot! The lady jumped over me!
Arthur Vance: Hush, Noah. Let the security team handle this.
Head Security Guard: Mr. Vance, we checked the perimeter. The side exit door was forced open from the inside two minutes ago.
Arthur Vance: Forced open? By whom?
Maya: By the man who dropped this. Look inside the latch, Mr. Vance. It’s an antique crest. Your family’s crest.
Arthur took the small gold button from Maya’s hand, his fingers trembling slightly as he inspected the detailed engraving. He pressed the small side catch, and the tiny gold lid clicked open. Inside was a black-and-white photograph of a young woman wearing a silver locket.
Arthur Vance: Where... where did you say you found this?
Maya: In the glass pile right next to the support beam. The man who kicked the beam was wearing a coat with matching custom gold buttons.
Arthur Vance: This photograph... this is my sister, Catherine. She passed away fifteen years ago.
Maya: If someone is carrying her picture inside a custom family button, they aren't a random intruder.
Arthur Vance: My brother-in-law, Julian. He swore he would take everything from me after the estate battle was settled in court.
Head Security Guard: Sir, should we lock down the main gates and clear the guests out?
Arthur Vance: Yes immediately. Nobody leaves this building until I see the security feed from the north hall.
Maya: Sir, your shoulder is bleeding... wait, no, that’s my shoulder. I need to make sure Noah doesn't have any small cuts on his hands.
Noah: My hands are fine, Daddy. The lady protected my head completely.
Arthur Vance: Miss... what is your name?
Maya: My name is Maya, sir. Maya Lin.
Arthur Vance: Maya, I owe you an apology. I was quick to jump to conclusions when I saw my boy on the floor.
Maya: Any parent would react that way seeing their child in danger, Mr. Vance. But we need to get Noah to a safe room right now.
Arthur Vance: You're right. Guard, escort my son to the private study upstairs and lock the door from the inside.
Julian: That won't be necessary, Arthur. I'm already right here.
Arthur whipped around to face the double doors leading into the conservatory. A tall man in a dark tailored overcoat stepped out from the shadows, flanked by two burly men wearing black leather jackets. The missing button on his left sleeve was immediately visible to everyone in the room.
Julian: You missed the grand finale, brother. I spent three months planning this little reunion.
Arthur Vance: Julian! What are you doing in my house? The court order explicitly states you cannot come within five hundred feet of my family!
Julian: Courts are for people who care about laws, Arthur. I care about what belonged to my late wife. The Vance inheritance was meant to be shared, not hoarded in your little marble palace.
Maya: You pushed that tower on purpose! You knew the kid was standing under it!
Julian: Who hired this loudmouth maid? Silence her before I lose my patience.
Arthur Vance: Touch her and I swear you won't leave this property alive, Julian!
Julian: Oh, big words from a man whose private security detail is currently locked inside the security control room upstairs. Did you really think I came alone?
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